Teachers « Y2 Yoga

Teachers

Our teachers are our foundation. Their enthusiasm and passion is what supports us, and in turn, we honor and support them. They are our ROCK.

Dedication to Students

Every class our teachers pour their heart, soul, and creativity into offering a challenging, yet nurturing practice. Our teachers bring a unique and inspiring experience to the students and every class builds on the next as they guide you with their years of knowledge and practice. We are as committed to supporting our life’s path as we are to supporting yours.
Tanner Bazemore

Lead Instructor / Owner, 200 Hour RYT

Tanner has been in the fitness industry for 10 years and is the owner of Y2 Yoga. He became a personal trainer in 2002 after experiencing the benefits of regular diet and exercise. A life-long member of Weight Watchers, he struggled with weight issues up until the end of his first year in college when, with the encouragement of friends, lost 30 lbs, and as a result became “hooked” on exercise. In a twist of irony, 15 years later Tanner ended up training the Pediatrician who recommended he join Weight Watchers program.

Tanner had taken Taekwondo since the 8th grade and earned his Second Degree Black Belt. Tanner has always been somewhat flexible, but found that yoga emphasized an intense focus on alignment and postural integrity seemed to be the missing link that could unlock his potential. He began his yoga practice at Charlotte Yoga in March of 2005. Tanner was fortunate to have learned yoga from an amazing yoga instructor, Grace Morales. In May of 2008, Tanner completed a 200 hour Power Yoga Teacher Training program taught by Grace.

Tanner’s Information

email: tanner@y2yoga.com
Lisa Brownstead

Instructor

A former TV news anchor Lisa believes in the transformational power of yoga and hopes to help young and old alike find more balance, self esteem and joy in their lives through a regular yoga practice. She also believes that yoga (and a little bit of humor) leads to a significant decrease in stress and keeps you looking and feeling young! Lisa is the Founder/Owner of Pretty Postures, a yoga party business. Lisa completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training under Johnna Smith and is kids certified under Stephanie Keach. Lisa is an avid student, practicing at workshops led by Baron Baptiste, Rolf Gates, Jim Bennit, Cameron Shayne and Sage Rountree. Lisa is a mom to three kids who also love yoga.

“All that a person could ever want or need is contained in the air. And, all a person ever has to do is breathe it in.”— Sally Huss

Lisa’s Information

site: www.prettypostures.com
Jennifer Busco

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Instructor

Being active has always been a big part of my life. When a friend recommended yoga to me in 2003 I thought “why not?” After my first class, I had so many questions. Why the chanting? Why the ohming? Why the twisting and turning? Is this really a workout (even as I watched beads of sweat roll down my calf)?

Little by little answers began revealing themselves. Coming to the mat felt right, and I noticed a shift in my life towards overall health and wellbeing.
Wanting to share the “yoga love”, I began teaching friends in local parks around Charlotte. This led to my 230-hour certification from the awe-inspiring Stephanie Keach at the Asheville Yoga Center. I hope to complete the 500-hour training soon as well.

As a piano player and singer, creativity plays a role in my yoga resulting in spontaneous practices that aim to balance physical challenge, inner peace, and a childlike spirit.

I am grateful for the opportunities and challenges life presents. Delighted to teach at Y2, I will always be a student at heart.

Jen’s Information

COMING SOON!
Celeste Carter

Instructor

COMING SOON!

Celeste’s Information
Dorie Fusaro

Instructor

i love yoga. the breath, the meditation, the asana, the outlook on life ~ love all of it.

i found yoga at a time in my life when i was searching for my own identity. took my first class in 2001 and at the end of class knew i had found the path that would lead me to the answers i was looking for, answers not only about myself, but about the world around me. through yoga i have found inner (not to mention physical) strength, confidence, flexibility, compassion, a deeper love for my fellow human, and a community of people that exude beauty and love inside and out, throughout every cell of their being.

i continue to practice Bikram, Ashtanga and Power Vinyassa, periodically enjoying Baptiste and Anusara styles as well. i teach power/flow classes and often draw from various styles as they all offer such beauty and grace benefitting all. completed the 230 hour teacher training with Asheville Yoga Center in 2009, and plan to continue my yogic studies over this lifetime, continuing to learn something new each day about myself, my yoga and the world around me.

a full time working (banker, no kidding!) mother of two beautiful daughters Alexa and Natalie. i have longed to teach and am thrilled with the opportunity to share my practice with others.

Dorie’s Information
Anthony Hill

Instructor

I have always been fascinated with the human body and how it keeps itself in balance (Homeostasis) at all times, even when we don’t take care of it the way we should. I guess the real journey of being physically active began in Junior high school when I participated in junior high basket ball. I continued to play through high school and Junior college. After junior college, I stopped playing basketball and focused more on my under graduate studies, but something was missing. I missed that feeling of being in great physical as well as mental conditioning. So, I got into long distance cycling. This gave me the physical and mental high that I missed. Again because of my interest in anatomy and the human body, I enrolled in massage school in 1992. The fact that I could learn more about anatomy and physiology and help others heal themselves and feel good at the same time was a blessing to me. I then went on to teach Swedish and deep tissue massage at the Potomac Massage Training Institute in Washington, DC. I Tried To educate as many people as I could about the benefits of massage. I went to my first yoga class (Bikram) in 2002. I was hooked. I practiced Bikram yoga for about 4 years. I then integrated Vinyasa (flow) and Yin yoga into my practice. I completed a 230 hour teacher training with the Asheville Yoga Center in November of 2009. I love to study and learn more about metaphysics, Quantum theory and how everything is connected from the powerful void of space in the atom to the void of space in the universe that surrounds us and contains us. INFINITE POSSIBILITIES and that’s what yoga means to me.

Toni’s Information

COMING SOON!
Susie Johnson

Instructor

COMING SOON!

Susie’s Information
Sarah Keach

Instructor

I was introduced to yoga through my dance training at Elon University, and although I found downdog challenging, I never thought much of the practice. It wasn’t until I entered the ‘real world’ that I started feeling incredibly stressed out and anxious. I thought that I might give yoga a try as a sort of treatment to my anxiety. I walked out of my first power vinyasa class and immediately signed up for a monthly unlimited package. Needless to say, I was totally hooked! I found that the more I practiced yoga, the stronger I felt physically, which meant I was stronger in my personal life. I love the empowering feeling that a strong practice gave me and felt compelled to enroll in a teacher training to learn more. Upon completion of my 200-hour Yoga Alliance® Teacher Training under Johnna Smith at YogaOne Wellness, I completed Level 1 Training with Baron Baptiste in August 2008. I have also received my Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and Certification at Asheville Yoga center and look forward to continuing my education!

I am so appreciative for the ability to share this beautiful practice and teach at Y2!

I am so grateful to all of my teachers for their endless love, support, and inspiration.

Sarah’s Information
CJ Lawing

Instructor

I stepped onto the mat and discover yoga for the first time in the winter of 2004 and never rolled it up. At the same time I also found Pilates and the two have been my constant companions ever since. Both methodologies emphasize a passion for purity of form and proper alignment principles.These elements along with Anusara’s distinctive heart focus really resonate with me. I have taguht Pilates for 3 years and in March of 2009, I felt the call to deepen my understaning of Anusara yoga and completed a 200-hour Yoga Alliance Anusara Teacher Training led by my constant teachers Kelley Gardener, Sarah Faircloth and Stacey Milner-Collins. In my journey as a seeker I have also deeply fallen in love with Paul Muller Ortega’s presentation of Tantric philosophy and meditation. I continue to broaden my knowledge by studying tantric philosophy and Anusara yoga with other amazing teachers such as John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Douglas Brooks and Bill Mahoney.

My greatest desire is to move authentically from my heart and teach in a nurturing language that reflects the integration of many systems. I believe the union of different styles and methodologies of body-mind-spirit work serves to expand not only the various perceptions we have of ourselves, but our understanding of the world and our place and purpose as we move through this amazing life. I also believes that laughter is a blissful overflow of the heart, so don’t be shy about giggling in class.

When not in the yoga studio, my husband Drew and I are raising one amazing son, 14 chickens, one goofy puppy and trying to sustainably and organically grow a farm that will nourish the tummies of many yogis!!

CJ’s Information

COMING SOON!
Jillian Longsworth
Instructor

Yoga has given me the courage and the strength to follow my heart and to do what I love. I found yoga when I moved to Charlotte from New York City in 2003. After years of working in advertising, auditioning for stage roles and waiting tables, yoga gave me a place to slow down and to really look at where my life was going. Initially, the attraction to yoga was the physical aspect and the desire to de-stress and detoxify, but what was ultimately found was an underlying awareness of the self; a way to connect to the mind, body and spirit. I often used my yoga practice while teaching theatre in the public school system as a way for my students to calm their nerves and focus on their breath, something we can all relate to. I am hoping to further my yoga studies in March by becoming certified to teach yoga to people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I completed my 230- hour Teacher Training from the Asheville Yoga Center with Stephanie Keach and I hope to pursue my 500- hour advanced training with her in the near future. I enjoy teaching Vinyasa Flow, Slow Flow/Deep- Stretch and Kids Yoga and I believe yoga can benefit the very young to the very “wise”. If there is one sutra I try to live my life by, it is this:

~Santosha~

By contentment, supreme joy is gained.
Laura McCarthy

Instructor

I’m certified through a program called Vajra Yoga that is out of New York City (vajrayoga.com). I completed their teacher training and School for Compasionate Action. Vajra yoga is a blend of hatha yoga and buddist meditation. I started my interest in yoga with Ashtanga Yoga working with Lisa Tendler – 6 years later, Ashtanga is still my practice. I work at the Urban Ministry Center with a Substance Abuse Treatment Program as their Recreational Therapist integrating yoga and meditation into the treatment program. I am an artist as well. I maintain a studio in Charlotte and my medium is painting and installation work. Love to travel and go as often as I can. Favorite quote (at least one of them)…..

Success, recognition, and conformity are the bywords of the modern world where everyone seems to crave the anesthetizing
security of being identified with the majority.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.

COMING SOON!

Laura’s Information
Tanya McCellan

Instructor

Tanya McClellan turned to yoga to change her life and try something new. After her first class she knew she was hooked. Tanya has participated in teacher training with Johnna Smith . When not working on her practice , you can find Tanya working in Theater, teaching theater, and doing voice over radio commercials all over the country.

Enjoy life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tanya’s Information

Coming Soon
Amani Murray

Instructor

Amani first began practicing yoga over 15 years ago. After a major health issue went undiagnosed for a year, she decided to do some research on natural health and healing, which led her to yoga. Primarily self-taught, she started taking studio classes in 2001. She was quickly asked to start teaching on a regular basis. Her passion for yoga led her to obtain her 230 hour teacher training with Stephanie Keach at the Asheville Yoga Center in 2002. She is also certified to teach Yoga for MS, Prenatal Yoga, and recently completed a Yoga as Therapy Teacher Training Workshop with Doug Keller. She is currently seeking her 500 hour certification through the Asheville Yoga Center, and continues to study with her wonderful teacher Stephanie Keach!

Amani has explored her practice to overcome her chronic asthma as well as in preparation for her 2 homebirths. Her teaching style is both light-hearted and challenging, and she encourages her students to balance effort with ease and find peace and self-awareness in their practice. She is currently teaching group classes at Y2 Yoga Studio and also specializes in private lessons.

Amani’s website:

www.padma-yoga.net
Christine Navarro

Instructor

My first experience of yoga was at a gym in West Palm Beach, Florida back in 1997. I was working as a paramedic at the time, and gunshot wounds and cardiac arrests were an everyday occurrence in my world. I found yoga to be a healing place where I could begin to clear away the stresses and anxieties of work, and of life in general. It made such a profound positive impact on me, physically and otherwise – that I simply began to make better choices. One of which, was to become a yoga instructor, which I’ve been doing full-time since 2002.

I’ve had the delight of studying with too many great teachers to mention, but the main influences of my teaching style are Rolf Gates and Sharon Gannon. With lightheartedness, focused intention, an empowering sense of physical challenge, and remembrance of the breath, a yoga class gives us plenty of opportunity to explore our potential. What we then DO with all that potential, is only limited by our imagination!

Aside from yoga, music is another thing I can’t seem to get enough of in my life. When I’m not teaching, I’m probably writing and recording new songs, riding my bike and scraping my knees, or just hanging out with my friends.

‘vision without action is a daydream,
action without vision is a nightmare’ – japanese proverb

Christine’s Information

www.christinenavarro.com
Jane Patterson

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Instructor

Your yoga mat is a truly amazing thing. You step on it, sweat all over it, and then roll it up and forget about it until the next time you need it. Yet each time you roll it out, it is there to support you. To protect you. To help you find balance, build strength, and take rest. It doesn’t turn you away if you’re tired, angry or unhappy. And all it asks in return is that when you lay it down, you commit to 3 simple things: to your breath, to listening to your body, and to doing your best. I want to be clear here that your best does not mean my best, or his best, or their best. It means YOUR best, and nobody knows what that looks like but you. That’s the deal. You breathe, you listen, and you give your full effort and awareness to what your body and mind need that day. In return, the mat becomes 2 x 6 feet of space dedicated to YOU.

I rolled a yoga mat out for the first time, right here in Charlotte, 6 years ago. Only visiting the city at that point, I returned home to Los Angeles and began taking classes at Bryan Kest’s studio. My regular practice really took root there. After graduating from UCLA in 2005, I returned to Charlotte to deepen my yoga practice, studying vinyasa flow with Grace Morales and completing her Hot 26 certification. The following year, Andrey Lappa came to Charlotte, and I was able to study with him here, completing his Level 1 Teacher Training. Deeply inspired by his Universal Yoga teachings, I continued on to the next level of his program, and am honored to be one of the few of teachers in the US to have passed his Level 2 Teacher’s Certification. In 2007 I traveled with Andrey as his assistant to the Ukraine, Israel and Nepal. In Nepal, I went into a two-month personal retreat, led by Andrey, which included yoga, fasting, meditation, and self-study.

These days, I continue my studies with Universal Yoga, as well as drawing inspiration and understading from Peter Sterios, Shiva Rea, Grace Morales, Bryan Kest, Govindas and Radha, Desiree Rumbaugh, Denise Duffy, and the amazing force of energy that is Tanner.

My classes are designed to bring a sense of vitality and balance to body and mind, uniting dynamic movement with steady breath. So come to class ready to breathe, sweat, laugh, play, challenge yourself, and ultimately, let it all go.

Jane’s Information

COMING SOON!
Nicole Sameit

Instructor

When I step on the mat, it’s like the rest of the world dissolves. For just a short time the only thing that matters is the movement of breath and body. My mind is free from the clutter of the day and I enjoy the peace and freedom I cultivate as I move through postures. I love my time on the mat, it’s completely my own. It’s my time to relax, play, and challenge myself.

I’m also drawn to the physical aspects of yoga. In my “former life”, (the life I jokingly refer to before staying home with 2 children) I was a scientist so my fascination with the human body has carried over into yoga. I love exploring the physiological benefits of the postures and pranayama. It amazes me to see how the body responds to the challenges and the incredible amount of strength you gain; not to mention how good you feel overall!

Through my Yoga studies, I continue to learn more every day about this wonderful practice and myself. I take great inspiration from the three amazing teachers who led my teacher training: Stephanie Keach,, Barbara Hall, and Shala Worsley. I am so excited to be a part of this fantastic yoga community and I can’t wait to see you and your kids on the mat!

Nicole’s Information

COMING SOON!
Anya Slepova

Instructor

I am classically trained in ballet, jazz and modern dance. I have always been searching for the opportunity to connect movement and breathe in my daily workout routine. About 4 years ago I took my first power vinyasa yoga class. As skeptical as I was, the class turned out to be a fantastic workout and exactly what I was looking for – it made me sweat, the stretching was awesome and it was so much fun! I’ve been in love with yoga ever since. Along with the physical benefits came the understanding and appreciation of the meditation and the breathing part of yoga.

Yoga is a process, as life is; fluid and evolving in each moment. I invite you to join a yoga practice with me and explore your body, mind and spirit, unwind from your busy day and maybe even discover some muscles you never knew you had!

“A group of bats, hanging from the ceiling of a cave, discover a single bat STANDING upright below them on the floor of the cave. Surprised by this unusual behavior, they ask, ‘What’s wrong with you? What are you doing down there?’ The standing bat answers, ‘Yoga!’”
Hollace Stephenson

Instructor

Quiet your mind, open your heart, and free your spirit. Hollace’s true sense of self and deep gratitude for life naturally led her to yoga in 1997. Since then she has practiced with many inspirational yogis & yoginis including Yoganand Michael Carroll from whom she received her teacher training. In 2004, after taking a few years to race and travel on sailboats throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, she moved to Charlotte where her wings are quietly taking root.

The foundation for all classes that Hollace teaches is to find peace within each posture; creating strong bodies, quiet minds and freeing the spirit. In gratitude for every breath, every posture, every moment on the mat lays the potential to find gratitude for everything off the mat.

Currently, Hollace is sharing her love of yoga with all those willing to explore their potential and has recently opened her own personal chef business.

Hollace’s Information

www.tastemakersofcharlotte.com
Merritt Tracy

Instructor

Merritt Tracy started yoga for the physical benefits, but stayed with yoga for the physical, mental, and spiritual changes it inspired in her life. Merritt has been practicing yoga for 9 years and has practiced various styles, but primarily focuses on Power Vinyasa and Ashtanga. In January 2009, she left her 15-year career in the technology industry to become a stay-at-home Mom and yoga instructor. She is completing her 200 hour certification with Yoga One in Charlotte. Merritt loves the quiet, healing power of breath and yoga.

Merritt’s Information
Carrie Williams

Instructor

As a yoga instructor and clinical social worker, I have dedicated my work to healing, and for me yoga is a powerful means of healing body/mind/spirit. Whether practicing or teaching, I love the variety offered from various traditions of yoga; some days a very challenging practice is needed, while other a slow, deep practice is appropriate. What a gift to tailor the practice to meet the individual needs of my students! Completing 200-hour teacher training through Wilmington Yoga Center with Kristen Cooper-Gulak has allowed me to share my love of yoga with others. Currently I am pursuing 500-hour advanced training to advance my studies and allow me to share even more. The more I learn and deepen my own practice, the more I have to offer others. It is with gratitude that I dedicate my teaching to meeting the individual body, mind, and spirit needs of the students and clients I serve.

Carrie’s Information

Teachers

Our teachers are our foundation. Their enthusiasm and passion is what supports us, and in turn, we honor and support them. They are our ROCK.

Dedication to Students

Tanner Bazemore

Lead Instructor / Owner, 200 Hour RYT

Tanner’s Information

Lisa Brownstead

Instructor

Lisa’s Information

Jennifer Busco

Space

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Instructor

Jen’s Information

Celeste Carter

Instructor

Celeste’s Information

Dorie Fusaro

Instructor

Dorie’s Information

Anthony Hill

Instructor

Toni’s Information

Susie Johnson

Instructor

Susie’s Information

Sarah Keach

Instructor

Sarah’s Information

CJ Lawing

Instructor

CJ’s Information

Jillian Longsworth

Instructor

Laura McCarthy

Instructor

Laura’s Information

Tanya McCellan

Instructor

Tanya’s Information

Amani Murray

Instructor

Christine Navarro

Instructor

Christine’s Information

Jane Patterson

SPACE

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Instructor

Nicole Sameit

Instructor

Nicole’s Information

Anya Slepova

Instructor

Hollace Stephenson

Instructor

Hollace’s Information

Merritt Tracy

Instructor

Merritt’s Information

Carrie Williams

Instructor

Carrie’s Information

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